AIBU to ask you to help me choose a car?

[CornedBeef451]

I am driving myself mad with indecision, please help!

I need a new car, I have a 15 yo Citroen Picasso which is on its last legs, MOT due late July so I want/need to change it before then.

I love it because of the upright seating position and I can reach everything and see over the front (I am very short).

Budget is 10k, I need a bit more oomph for motorway driving, petrol, manual, front and rear parking sensors (for DH) and a reasonable boot although it doesn't have to be quite as big as the Picasso.

I think I like a Vauxhall Mokka X but it doesn't have great reviews on Autotrader so now I'm doubting myself. Test drive was good but the salesman came with me which was unnerving and he never stopped talking about himself so I couldn't concentrate!

I've tried a Hyundai Tucson because my friend has one but it felt massive.

Suzuki Vitari was a nice size but the seat was too long and cut into the back of my knees.

Citroen cactus/ C3 I found the roof height a bit oppressive and I don't think it's big enough for family holidays.

Any other suggestions or experience of a Mokka?

[quote CornedBeef451]@Essentialgarage thanks for the advice. Do you mean a replacement spare wheel or one of the tyres? And where did you see the MOT date, that's a useful thing to know! [/quote]
www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/

Always a good idea to check mot history, It had an advisory of NSF tyre worn in November so I would certainly want that replaced if not done so already.
Definitely want a new MOT.

I'm in almost same position. I have around £8k plus mine as p/ex which I'd hope for around £1200-1500.

I like the Yeti, crossland and also Sportage but can't get anywhere near my price without huge mileage and/or wear & tear.

I've been looking at Ford B-Max, anyone any experience of them?

No youngsters anymore but dogs! I don't want a rear window that's angled so dogs feel squashed. I do want a smooth, comfy ride. I like driving so something that's enjoyable to drive. Gadgets or ability to connect my phone apps to screen (I believe Ford Connect can do this?). Good mpg. Petrol, manual. (And I'd quite like a white one!)

Also is it worth waiting until September when new cars are launched to see if 2nd hand market better?

There's not much about at the moment. Seems like houses, prices are high and availability low!

I looked at the Mokka and thought it was a bit plastic-y inside - was going to get a Qashqai but couldn't find nor I liked, so I have a Renault Kadjar and really like it - not too big but decent sized boot and room for teenagers in the bank

After much research I spent £8.5K on a 2015 Suzuki Vitara Sz5 back in January, it had 39k miles on it. I needed a car with high seating and enough room for my two collies in the boot. The reviews were all very positive.

The SZ5 trim gives you leather seats, large sunroof, satnav and reversing camera, all of which I've really enjoyed. In the past we've always stored the parcel shelf in the garage (and often forgotten to put them back!) but the Vitara has space to store in under the floor which I think is a great design feature.

I know you’re mostly talking about bigger, higher up cars but I think my focus fulfils most of your spec. It’s the 1.2 turbo and compares favourably to my DH’s 2 litre, can definitely overtake a lorry. The boot is massive for that type of car too, I find it really deceptive.

I was a huge fan of the Yeti but then last minute found one of these www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/volkswagen/golf-sv-2014/ for a decent price and I love it!

When car hunting recently I found YouTube walk arounds and the HonestJohn website really useful. HJ tends to post common faults and reviews from people with the cars several years later so really good to get a better picture.

The mokka boot is really small. We hired one once and couldn't get DDs umbrella fold stroller in it, had to put it in the back.

We are looking at the Skoda Koraq and the VW Tiguan.... you get more for your money with the Skoda but dooo looooveeer the Tiguan!

I'm in the same boat and I've narrowed my search down to the Renault Grand Scenic, Mitsubishi Outlander or the newer Skoda Enyaq (electric). I'll be trading in my 11 yr old Grand Scenic. We rarely use the extra seats but there's great visibility out the rear window & with two sporty teenagers and an 8 yr old the more boot space the better. Also consider that many cars have a 2 1/2 seats in the back rather than three if you will be frequently travelling with three in the back.

@ChocolateDeficitDisorder I test drive a Vitari and liked it but the drivers seat was too deep for me and dug into the back of my knees...I am quite short so it's a common problem.

I am test driving the Yeti at lunch time so I'll let you know how I get on.

Thanks for all the responses, it's been really helpful.

@Essentialgarage

I'd ask for a new MOT for the price (due November and I'd want the tyre changed if it hadn't been done already. ) They say that it has a 3 month warranty but be aware that it's nearly impossible for a garage to refuse a repair in the first six months. The extra warranty maybe worth it depending on who it is with. I also don't understand the lack of parking sensors, the holes appear to be there, can't see if there are sensors.

I would say from the advert it looks like a very sensible choice especially as new cambelt.

Aside I can't believe some garages clean them so badly.

Agree the cleaning is rubbish - hope the servicing is better. It has rear parking sensors - I suspect they are aftermarket ones which is why they aren't mentioned in the specification listing. They may or may not work, but would be easy enough to fix, and as others have said, it's cheap/easy to add front ones too.

It sold! They just rang to cancel my test drive.

There's this one not too far away, higher mileage though.

www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106183962876?advertising-location=at_cars&transmission=Manual&price-to=12000&postcode=DY90YL&model=YETI&sort=distance&page=1&make=SKODA&fuel-type=Petrol&include-delivery-option=on

OP - and anyone else - if posting autotrader links you only need the first bit - up to (but not including) the ? (question mark) - the rest of that link includes your search criteria including your home postcode.

www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106183962876

Why petrol only BTW?
Modern Diesels have the same Euro 6 particulate standard as petrols and emit less CO2 than equivalent petrol due to better fuel economy.

DM has a mokka x she's very short and likes the driving position, it's comfortable on long journeys (as a passenger) the boot is fine but not huge, the boot on my C4 is bigger. I do like it though and would consider one when DS is out of his massive erf car seat as DH is 6'4 and his knees would touch the dash in my mum's Mokka if DS was behind the passenger seat

Thanks @DynamoKev I thought of that last night as I was going to sleep and promptly forgot again this morning!

That's interesting about diesel, I thought diesel were being phased out? I will mostly do short journeys with only occasional long ones and I was previously told that's not great for diesel cars?

Yes a lot of short journeys with diesel cars isn't recommended for most as the particulate filter can become clogged if the car never reaches proper temperatures for a sustained period.
They are being phased out at the same time as petrol, but there seems to be a lot of misunderstanding about emissions.
Of course all emissions are bad, but depending on the way they are used, you can argue Diesels are better (or at least no worse) than petrol if making a comparison of newer ones.

I've just bought a 2nd hand ford mondeo estate which ticks all your boxes. I love it and my wish list was very similar

I bought a Renault Captur and I love it but might be a little small for you. Tried the Kadjar and it's a great car to drive as well, but I wanted a smaller model now I don't have kids any more!

Seat Arona/Ateca are very good. And Skoda Karoq has very good reviews.

If you've got a Motorpoint branch anywhere near you they tend to have plenty of different models in stock for test drives.

Thanks for all the recommendations and advice.

I really like the Yeti but the nearest one is an hour away and I don't know if I'll have chance to go. I'll keep looking though.

I just checked out all the cars people recommended and got oddly excited about boot sizes. The short list after the Yeti is now a Renault Kadjar, Nissan Quashqoi or Kia Sportage.

I'm a bit worried they might feel a bit big but then I did an audible gasp at the boot volume on the Sportage so I guess I like them big! I'll try and do some test drives this week and then hopefully actually pick one.

Thanks again.

Hi all, I just test drive a 2011 Kia Sportage as it was the nearest one to me.

It looked nice but it wasn't fun to drive, it seemed to pick up on every minor pothole and it was a bit stiff to change gear.

Does anyone know if that's a common thing or if the newer ones are better? There's a 2016 one 40 mins away, not sure if it's worth a look at.

I had a quick look at a Quashqoi, it looked nice but I didn't have time to drive it.

I also saw a C4 Picasso and fell in love with the boot size but it was massive, I definitely don't need one that big.

Back to autotrader tonight for another search.

Did you look into the Golf SV? It's essentially a Golf with a big boot. The rear seats slide and the boot floor can be lowered or raised so it's really flexible.

I’ve just bought a 3yo Ford Grand C-Max and I’m really happy with it. Boot is a really good size, back seats slide forwards and back to make more space if need be and middle seat can be folded away altogether, and the back doors slide, which is so useful. Driving position is lovely and seats are so comfortable (I have degenerative discs and fibro). It’s not the most e voting of cars, but I needed something I could get in and out of easily and that was spacious and comfy.

I bought a qashqai last week, it’s just a couple of years old so a bit above your budget, but you’d likely get a 15 or 16 plate around your budget. I love it. I opted for diesel as I have a long commute, but they have several petrol options. I loved my Audi A3 but it’s ancient now and I am loving the comfort and ride height of the Qashqai. Definitely worth considering OP.

Where are you op? I'm selling my 2016 Renault Kadjar! (through no fault of her own lol) They're absolutely great cars, ours is a 1.5 turbo diesel and can really go some, but also fantastic mpg (av 60) and low tax (£30 a year!!) being pre 2017. We shall miss her, but need to downsize. Would recommend one though